EUROPRO TOUR EVENT AT ROWALLAN CASTLE, AYRSHIRE AUG 1-3

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY PGA EUROPR0 TOUR Rowallan Castle Golf Club in Ayrshire is the latest venue to be added to the strongest ever line-up of events on the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour for 2012. Rowallan Castle is the first course designed by eight times European No 1 golfer and 2010 winning Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and the Tour takes over the stunning Scottish venue on August 1-3. Montgomerie’s course is another exciting new addition to the Tour alongside fellow five-star venues Concra Wood (July 11-13), Mar Hall (August 8-10) and Frilford Heath (July 18-20). That quartet compliment old favourites such as Burhill (June 8-10), Fota Island (July 4-6), Wychwood Park (August 22-24) and Collingtree Park (June 20-22), with September’s Tour Championship to be announced soon. Oxford’s Frilford Heath also hosts the final stage of EuroPro Tour Qualifying School on April 11-13, with the deadline to enter the first stage on March 20. “I’m delighted to be taking the Tour to Rowallan Castle,” said Danny Nickless, operations manager for the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour. “Colin Montgomerie has designed a challenging course that is a great addition to our strongest ever Tour and the facilities there are fantastic.”

HARRINGTON SLIPS TO JOINT SECON IN TRANSITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
PALM HARBOR, Florida -- Jason Dufner and Padraig Harrington felt cautious at times for different reasons Friday in the Transitions Championship. They also had a far different outcome.
Harrington was 12 shots worse than his course-record 61 in the opening round.
Dufner, trying to play more conservatively when he doesn't feel confident about attacking, made it through another round at Innisbrook without a bogey and posted a second straight 5-under 66 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend.
"Pretty stress-free round," Dufner said.
Harrington didn't feel as though he hit the ball much worse in a round of 73. He realised it would be difficult to back up his record score on the Copperhead course with another low score, and it crept into his putting, especially on the back nine.
"I'm happy with my game, but when you shoot a good score, it's hard to match the next day," Harrington said. "When you're leading the tournament, it's hard not to be a little bit cautious, and I think at times I was on the greens."
William McGirt had a 68 and joined Harrington at 8-under 134.
Luke Donald, who can return to No. 1 in the world with a win, had a 68 and was in the large group at 7-under 135 that included Puerto Rico Open winner George McNeill.
Harrington was still leading when he hit weak putts, all of them for birdie from inside 15 feet, on three straight holes. It caught up with him on the sixth, when he marked his ball but failed to go through his routine and wound up missing a 15-inch par putt. Then, he three-putted the seventh hole and suddenly found himself two shots behind.
The good news is that Harrington is still in the mix.
"I didn't do too much damage today," Harrington said. "It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I didn't have those two three-putts. It could be OK. But the great thing his, having shot a good score yesterday, I felt that if I played the best golf on the weekend, I would be the winner. I'm still in good position."
Harrington figured he would either post another good score and have a chance to run away from the field, or get an ordinary score and have to work hard on the weekend. It turned out to be the latter. Twelve players are separated by four shots.
Dufner thought he would need another good round to get into contention. Being in the lead was a bonus.
"You have to do a little bit of chasing, and you're kind of hoping in the back of your mind he comes back to you a little bit," Dufner said. "I don't know why that's so hard. I've dealt with it; every player has dealt with it. You shoot a great number and you feel like you're going to shoot under par every day, and you kind of back up the next day. That seems to be like a law of averages thing."
Dufner just did his own thing.
He handled the par 5s, making three birdies. He made birdie putts of 15 feet on the third hole and 25 feet on the ninth. And he never had to sweat over any par putts.
Dufner is 0-for-159 on the US PGA Tour, and as much as he follows golf, no one had to tell him that he's the only player from the top 50 in the world ranking who has not won on any major tour. Dufner is at No. 39, and he realises he's there for a reason. He is playing good golf, doing just about everything right except winning.
His best chance last year was at the US PGA Championship, when he dropped shots down the stretch and lost in a play-off to Keegan Bradley at Atlanta Athletic Club. Dufner feels his time is coming, and he even decided to change the way he plays.
As much as he likes to keep the ball in play, an aggressive side of him wants to fire at every flag.
"It's a bit of a mind game with me," he said. "I tend to be a little too aggressive at times and get myself in trouble. After last week, I kind of thought about it. If I felt comfortable or if I had a good number, I would play aggressive. But I think when I was a little bit uncomfortable or had a bad number with a club, I would try to find the fat of the green and maybe make a par from 30 feet."
A good example of that came on the par-3 13th, with the pin on the front. He hit 6-iron to 30 feet for a par. A 7-iron would have worked, but missing slightly with that club might put him in the water.
As for being the lone guy in the top 50 without a win?
"It's a good thing that I've played that well to be ranked that high without a victory, because the victories really jump you up in the world rankings," he said. "It's a little disappointing that I have not won yet, but there's a lot of events this year and next year and the year after."
Jim Furyk, who won two years ago at Innisbrook, felt similar to Harrington. He was playing better than his score. He had to settle for a 70 on Friday and is in the group at 6-under 136, along with Sergio Garcia, John Senden and Kenny Perry, the only grandfather in the field at age 51.
Harrington also built some optimism for Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, both of whom are trying to qualify for the Masters. They were in the group just five shots behind. Goosen is just outside the top 50 in the world ranking, while Els would have to win at Innisbrook to get into the top 50 -- and a win makes him eligible, anyway.
DIVOTS: Heath Slocum opened with a 69 and had to withdraw before the second round with what he believed to be food poisoning. ... John Daly bogeyed his last two holes for a 72, but he made the cut on the number. ... Geoff Ogilvy wore a green pants, and some in the gallery reminded him he was a day early. Padraig Harrington had a different take. "It's St. Patrick's Day in Australia," he said.
Masters winner Charl Schwartzel has packed his bags. He had a 73 for 149 - eight shots more than the cut-off maximum. Martin Laird missed out by one with a 69 for 142.
Paul Casey too missed the cut with a 76 for 146. So too did another Englishman, USA debutant Tom Lewis with a 73 for 145.

SECOND-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 142 (2x71)
Players from US unless stated
132 Jason Dufner 66 66
134 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 61 73, William McGirt 66 68.
135 Chris Couch 67 68, George McNeill 67 68, Luke Donald (England) 67 68, Sang-Moon Vae (South Korea) 69 66, Ken Duke 68 67.
136 Jim Furyk 68 70, John Senden (Australia) 66 70, Sergio Garcia (Spain) 68 68, Kenny Perry 66 70

SELECTED SCORES
137 Justin Rose (England) 67 70, Ernie Els (S Africa) 70 67 (T14).
140 Brian Davis (England) 69 71, Greg Owen (England) 70 70 (T43).
141 John Daly 69 72 (T58).

MISSED THE CUT (141 and better qualified)
142 Gary Christian (England) 70 72, Martin Laird (Scotland) 73 69.
145 Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) 73 72, Tom Lewis (England) 72 73.
146 Paul Casey (England) 70 76.
149 Charl Schwartzel (S Africa) 76 73.

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GRAHAM GORDON GETS AMATEUR STATUS BACK FOR COMEBACK

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Graham Gordon, one of the best golfers to come out of the North-east, has been reinstated as an amateur after an unsuccessful few years in the pro ranks.
Injuries have dogged the Newmachar player, now 31, since he won the Scottish amateur championship by beating Stuart Wilson 4 and 3 in the final at The Duke’s Course, St Andrews in 2003 and played in the winning GB and I team at Ganton in the Walker Cup that same year.
Gordon, who was also the Doug Sanders European boys champion in the late 1990s, never lacked confidence as an amateur and he retains that self-belief despite the lean years as a tour professional.
He has been given a handicap fo +2.5 on his return to the amateur game. At his peak in 2003, he played off +4.5. Gordon intends playing in all the SGU 72-hole Order of Merit events this year and is looking to work his way back to the top of the amateur tree in Scotland .
“I am a far better player now and I shall be targeting a handicap of +6, subject to keeping fit to play. Whether this is achievable remains to be seen but I have a successful track record around the venues on the 2012 SGU schedule of events,” said Gordon.
The Aberdonian has been down to see his St Andrews-based coach, Jim Farmer, the R and A honorary professional.
“I had a really good session with Jim and he has given me a couple of things to work on. I was picking the club up slightly in the back swing and standing slightly closed. This was aggravating my herniated disc and if I am to stay fit to play this season, I have got to align myself better,” said Gordon.
Gordon was a prolific winner on the Scottish circuit in his amateur days, including the Craigmillar Park Open and Tennant Cup among his victories.
Can he do it all again? Time – and how well his body stands up to the test - will tell in the long run.
North-east District officials, having lost most of their star crop of players to the pro ranks in the past year or so, have welcomed the surprise news that Gordon is back in the amateur ranks and aiming to climb to the top once more.
Said district president Mike Pocock: “Having a player of Graham’s calibre available again for selection is great news on the eve of a new season.”

SPANIARD DE LA RIVA HALFWAY LEADER AT OPEN DE ANDALUCIA

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Eduardo de la Riva birdied the difficult final hole at Aloha Golf Club today to claim a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol.
But the 29 year old – third in October’s Bankia Madrid Masters – has a host of big names queuing up behind him to challenge over the weekend.
Miguel Angel Jiménez has hopes of becoming The European Tour's oldest-ever winner, while the circuit's youngest-ever winner – Matteo Manassero – is only one behind despite a second round 73.
The 18 year old Italian held a three-stroke lead after his course record-equalling opening round of 64.
Tournament promoter Jiménez is now in joint second place after a 68, and having turned 48 in January, the Ryder Cup star would be 39 days older than record holder Des Smyth if he grabs his 19th European Tour title on Sunday.
De la Riva, ranked 610th in The Official World Golf Ranking and one of eight players given places in the event off the Spanish Order of Merit, stands eight under par after rounds of 67 and 69.
He has been to The European Tour Qualifying School nine times and the only time he made it through was a decade ago, but his third-place finish in the Spanish capital last year was his best finish.
“I had a poor start,” said de la Riva. “I missed a three footer on the first and bogeyed the second from 20 feet.
“I was beginning to lose confidence, but then I hit it close and made birdie on the third - that settled me.
“I am very pleased with my birdie on 18 which is a challenging hole. I took a five wood and four iron over the water.
“I played well off the tee but the key today were my shots to the green from 100 to 150 yards.”
Jiménez, at 51st the highest-ranked player in the field, is one behind along with Manassero, England’s Tommy Fleetwood, Irishman Damien McGrane, and another of the home contingent, Pablo Larrazabal.
Fleetwood, the 21 year old who won last year's Challenge Tour, completed his 69 with a birdie.
Among those on six under are Ryder Cup stars Eduardo Molinari and Oliver Wilson, nine times a runner-up without ever winning.
One of those near-misses came when he lost a play-off to Jiménez in the 2008 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He went on to earn a Ryder Cup debut later the same season, but lost his card last year after finishing 130th on The Race to Dubai.
Wilson, playing on an invitation from Jiménez, suffered from stomach ulcers and parasites from drinking water in Bahrain early in 2011, but is back to fitness now after finally having his system flushed out.
"It would be nice not to have to rely on invites, but that's the position I'm in," he said.
"Miguel's been fantastic. It means a lot, especially when it's another player."
Round of the day was a 65 from Italian Molinari. He played in the last Ryder Cup along with brother Francesco, but has been battling a wrist injury and is down to 88th in the Official World Golf Ranking after reaching 14th less than 18 months ago.
Molinari improved from one over to six under and another on the same mark is Abu Dhabi winner Robert Rock, who can clinch a Masters Tournament debut with another victory.
Canadian Mike Weir, champion at Augusta National in 2003 but now 1,206th in the OWGR following elbow surgery, is three under.

SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 144
136 Eduardo De La Riva (Spain) 67 69.
137 Pabla Larrazabal (Spain) 68 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 69 68, Matteo Manassero (Italy) 64 73, Tommy Fleetwood (England) 68 69, Damien McGrane (Ireland) 69 68.
138 Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 73 65, Raphael Jacquelin (France) 70 68, Michael Hoey (N Ireland) 69 69, Joakim Lagergren (Sweden) 68 70, Robert Rock (England) 69 69, Hennie Otto (S Africa) 67 71, Oliver Wilson (England) 71 67, David Lynn (England) 70 68..

SCOTS' SCORES
141 Alastair Forsyth 71 70 (T31)
142 David Drysdale 71 71 (T41)
143 Richie Ramsay 72 71 (T48).
144 Gary Orr 71 73, Stephen Gallacher 75 69, George Murray 72 72, Marc Warren 74 70 (T60).

MISSED THE  CUT (144 or better qualified)
149 Colin Montgomerie 73 76.
151 Craig Lee 76 75.
153 Peter Whiteford 77 76.
154 Steven O'Hara 74 80.

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RAIN STOPS FINAL, SHIELDS DECLARED JOINT TROPHY WINNER

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
By ED HODGE, SGU Press Officer
Glaswegian Paul Shields was deemed the joint-winner of the Northern Amateur Open in South Africa today after the 36-hole final in Johannesburg was abandoned due to flooding.
At Randpark Golf Club, Kirrhill’s Shields, pictured, and South African Aubrey Barnard were locked all square after 30 holes before officials called a halt to proceedings due to the unplayable conditions.
The contest had earlier been temporarily stopped after nine holes due to the rain as greenkeepers fought a losing battle.
With the course saturated, Shields and Barnard (Pretoria) returned to the comfort of the clubhouse to each clutch the trophy with one hand.
Shields, who defeated team-mate Fraser McKenna (Balmore) in yesterday’s semi-final at the fourth extra hole, was bidding to emulate compatriot David Law’s win in the same competition a year ago. Given the decision by organisers to share the prize, in a way the 21-year-old has claimed his biggest title success.
The result and circumstances offered similarities to when Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer were declared joint winners of the European Tour’s Volvo Masters in November 2002 after nightfall ended their play-off at Valderrama.
Shields was seeking outright glory after runner-up finishes in the Scottish boys’ Championship (2008 and 2009), while he was beaten to the South African Amateur title by Michael Stewart in last year’s all-Scottish final.
His hopes looked forlorn after the first nine holes of the final, with Barnard racing into a three-hole lead before the contest was stopped for the first time due to the rain.
Shields, however, showed typical fighting qualities to turn the tide on the back nine, winning the 10th, 13 and 14th holes before making birdie at the 18th to lead by a hole at lunch.
Shields went two up with a birdie at the 19th, before Barnard claimed the 20th and 21st to square the tie. The Scot won 24th and 25th to restore his two-hole advantage, before his opponent rallied again with wins at the 27th and 28th. With the match all square and the weather at its worse, it was deemed fair to declare joint-winners.
The Northern Amateur Open brought the curtain down on a highly successful eight-week winter performance programme for the new-look SGU National Men’s Squad in South Africa.
Following up on the victories enjoyed by Law and Stewart in 2011, Brian Soutar from Leven Golfing Society produced a stunning performance to keep the South African Amateur crown in Scottish hands after a final victory over rising teenage star Brandon Stone.
Among other highlights, the eight-man Men’s Squad defeated South Africa in a Test Match at Leopard Creek while Aberdour’s Scott Crichton finished a creditable joint-sixth in the South African Stroke Play.
McKenna and Shields then continued the spell of success with their displays in the Northern Amateur.
Given the strength of South African golf, whose recent graduates to the professional scene include Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, the Scots performed admirably, enjoying success against the leading lights of the host nation’s amateur squad, such as Stone, Haydn Porteous and the talented Shaun Smith.
Scottish Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding said: “The trip has been hugely successful. Predominantly with a new squad, it’s very promising for us in a World Championship year.
"I’m really encouraged by the performances of the new squad members. Our whole focus is for October and The Eisenhower Trophy in Turkey and to maintain our top flight status in the world.
“The players will return from South Africa to recharge their batteries ahead of the domestic season.
“On behalf of all the players and coaches, I’d like to thank the contribution of Aberdeen Asset Management, Johann Rupert, the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation and sportscotland, for their fantastic support of our national squad and for making these opportunities come to life.”

BELL MAKES TOP TEN IN TEXAS

SCOTS STUDENT US GOLFERS ROUND-UP CREDIT CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY QUERIES TO COLIN FARQUHARSON TEL 01224 869782   BELL MAKES TOP TEN IN TEXAS    Carnoustie's Chris Bell, a student at Odessa College, Texas, finished joint seventh in a field of 64 players at the NJCAA District 2 preview golf tournament at Sugar Tree GC, Dennis in Texas this week. Bell had rounds of 73 and 72 for 145, five shots behind the winner by two, Mathias Boesmans (Western Texas) (70-70 for 140). Paul Lawrie's nephew Sean Lawrie, a student at Midland College, Texas, finished joint 23rd with scores of 77 and 74 for 151. Bell's effort helped Odessa win the team title with Midland sixth of 10 teams.   Perth pair Daniel Young and Paul McPhee, both students at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, finished 19th and joint 20th respectively in a field of 75 players at this week's Southeastern Collegiate tournament at Kinderlou Forest GC, Valdosta in Georgia. Young had rounds of 73, 71 and 74 for a two-over-par tally of 218 over a course of 7,145yd while McPhee scored 76-72-71 for 219. Tyler Chandler (North Alabama) won the title by five shots with an outstanding 13-under-par total of 203 (67-67-69). Lynn finished third of 14 in the team event behind winners North Alabama and second-placed Barry.   Former Scottish boys' champion Grant Forrest from North Berwick, a student at San Diego University, California, shot 76-76-72 for an eight-over-par total of 224 in The Farms Invitational college tournament at The Farms GC, Rancho Santa Fe, California. He finished 22nd in a field of 78 players, 12 shots behind the winner J J Spann (San Diego State) (72-72-68 for 212). San Diego State also won the team title with rivals San Diego sixth of 14.   ends

LANARKSHIRE HAVE 24 PLAYERS IN PLF SCOTTISH BOYS' FIELD

FROM WILLIE SHARPE
Lanarkshire Golf Association president
Lanarkshire will provide a representation of 24 boys in the field for the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish boys' championship at Murcar Links Golf Club from April 9-14.
They include James Steven (pictured) of Bothwell Castle. Playing off +2.3, he is the lowest handicapper in the field. Other Lanarkshire contenders include Gold and Bronze medal winners in the International Children’s Games - Innes Ferguson of Drumpellier and Fraser Kane of Kirkhill.
Both these boys are young enough to play in another three Scottish boys' championships. Lanarkshire’s previous winners of the national Under-18 boys' title include Mark King (Shotts), John McTear (Blairbeth) and, more recently,
Steven O’Hara (Colville Park) and Stuart Taylor (East Kilbride).
Paul Shields of Kirkhill recently finished runner-up two years in a row.
Lanarkshire Entrants:
Shaun McBride (Langlands), Dominic Dougan (Colville Park), Robbie Whelan (East Kilbride), Kevin Prentice (Lanark), Sam Campbell (Cambuslang), Craig Hughes (Drumpellier), Calum Harrison (Carluke), Craig Boyd (Lanark) Ciaran Farrell (Wishaw), Andrew Thomson (Mouse Valley), James Walkingshaw (Wishaw), James Steven (Bothwell Castle), Callum Connacher (Wishaw), Fraser Craig (Bothwell Castle), David Cleland (Hamilton), Fraser Kane (Kirkhill), Alistair Scott (Lanark), Christopher Kelso (Bellshill), Jay Hainie (Bothwell Castle), Innes Ferguson (Drumpellier), Cameron Andrew (Kirkhill),
Grant Paul (Lanark), Blair Murphy (Lanark), Jordan Bryce (Strathaven)

NORTH-EAST ALLIANCE CH/SHIP ROUND 2 TEE TIMES

PORTLETHEN GOLF CLUB - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

8.15 C Cassie - B Harper - K Watson
8.22 J Duff - E Kennedy - free
8.29 M Merchant - R Lamb- free
8.36 H Roulston - M Rendall - free
8.43 L Roger - J Hamilton - Claire Prouse
8.50 C Nelson - J Dalgarno - L Prouse
8.57 F Clarke - D Macandrew - free

9.04 T Mathieson- G Nethercott - free
9.11 G Allan - B Nicolson - H McNaughton
9.18 free- free- free
9.25 M brown - R Brown - S Davidson
9.32 L Vannet - M Forster - I Esslemont
9.39 free- free- free
9.46 N K Parker - P Guthrie - free
9.53 M Smith - I Grant - free

10.00 G Paterson - J Scott - D Lawrie
10.07 J Forrest - N Stewart - M Duncan
10.14 A Gall - L Fowler - D Fleming
10.21 B  Lumsden - D Leslie - G Homer
10.28 J Jessiman - A Petrie - W Skene
10.35 P McLean- K Nicol - P McIntosh
10.42 D Law - W Shaw - M Booth
10.49 K Beveridge- D Nelson - A Graham
10.56 M May - W McKenzie - P Leech

11.03 J Hopwood - J Duncan - G Milne
11.10 S Larkin - G Hutcheon - F Bisset
11.17 D Bisset - J Murray - D Randall
11.24 T A Collie - C Carnegie - J Turner
11.31 D Brown - M Lawrie - C Duffus
11.38 C Brown - R Orr - P Murray
11.45 S Finnie - J Gall - D McKay
11.52 free- free- free
11.59 free- free- free

12.06 J Borthwick - J Thomas- free
12.13 free- free- free
12.20 free- free- free
12.27 free- free- free
12.34 free- free- free
12.41 J Nicolson - P Cornfield - free
12.48 D Wilson - D C Clark- R Fitzpatrick

PAUL CORMACK'S GOLFING LETTER FROM AMERICA

FROM PAUL CORMACK in Florida
My first series of events is over. Around 1300 miles of driving - 2 Egolf events, 2 NGA events, pre PGA tour qualifier and a PGA tour qualifier later. I'm back in the sunshine state of Florida and enjoying a deserved few days' rest. The good news is the work over the winter is showing signs of paying off!
The first event didn't go exactly to plan as a 75, 78 for my first 2 competitive rounds of the year had me scratching my head. I drove the ball "on a frozen rope" as my Banchory buddy Greig Hutcheon would say but unfortunately the rest of the game was very poor.
A change of putter between events, some range time and a phone call to the lovely ladies at vision54, my mental coaches (everyone that plays golf needs to read their books, it's truly tremendous stuff).
I turned around in a week and earned a tied fifth finish as well as the best part of 7,000 dollars. It was a pleasing week after the disappointment of the week prior. I think the cooler and windy conditions helped me. I knew growing up in the North-east of Scotland would help me one day!
I finished six under for four rounds (70, 68, 70, 72), seven shots back of the eventual winner. So from one week to the next, I went from poor to my best finish Stateside as a pro. Not a bad start to the year.
The next two events were on the NGA tour in Tallahassee and Ocala, both Florida. Sandwiched between a pre-qualifier for this week's tournament on the US PGA Tour.
The first round in Tallahassee was very flat, physically and mentally. Teeing off late, knowing we weren't going to get finished I got in the wrong mind set and was fortunate to only be one over after 15 as the darkness rolled in.
Now, with 21 holes remaining the next day, I knew i was battling to make the cut. Things needed to change and quickly.
The next morning, at 8 am, I didn't need to wait long as I rolled in two 30- footers on the 16th and 18th holes of my first round for birdies to finish one- under 71.
I continued the good form in the second round and finished with a four-under 68 to make the cut comfortably. The third round was a different story. The high winds (which the week previous I was solid in) got to me and i struggled to a five-over 77.
Down but not out I managed to pull out a one-under 71 in the final round to salvage a half decent tournament and a cheque just short of $1,500.
Leaving Tallahassee with my confidence still in check, I travelled down to Tampa, Florida for the pre-qualifier for the Transitions tournament in Tampa this week. Windy again (there is a theme here, I think) and I knocked it round in a one-over 72 to finish tied fifth and ease my way to the Monday qualifier that was played this week.
I fared not so well in it with a 75, however, and miles away from competing in my first US PGA Tour event. I had the pleasure of playing with Troy Kelly who has his US PGA Tour card and learned some nice things from watching and speaking to him.
As I suspected from playing golf at a high level and watching the guys on TV, short game is key. I'd go as far to say that Troy has one of the best short games I've witnessed live, if not the best. So I know where my practice time will be going before I hit the road in two weeks!
The last NGA event of the series I was playing in was a mixture of great golf, poor golf, a very tired golfer and 4hr round trip to find a new putter as the shaft in mine had come loose!
I had to travel the night of the second round back to Orlando to find the same make and model of putter I had been using. Unfortunately the new putter didn't help one bit.
A third-round 74 wasn't bad and the first nine holes was as well as I have played in a long time, so to go out on level par was criminal. I was on cruise control until I bogeyed two of the last three holes to finish on 74.
Frustrating was not the word. The poor golf continued in the final round and I signed for an 81 to finish around 60th position and pick up a cheque for $1,000.
Four weeks of golf and travelling had caught up to me. No excuses though - 81 is poor by my standards. You live and you learn as they say. Four weeks of tournaments and a couple of qualifiers thrown in there was just too much too soon.
I now know my limits mentally and physically and I will work the remainder of my schedule to suit me.
So after my first trip of the year I brimming with confidence and actually finding it a little difficult to take the rest days I know i need. I want to get out on the practice range and get to work but I don't want to be burnt out at the start of the year.
I'm sure the Scottish guys playing on the mini tours in Europe, Challenge Tour or European Tour, will agree with me, that your rest time is just as important as the practice you put in on the range. It's all experience and these lessons help you go forward I'm sure.
I hope you all back home are looking forward to the season starting soon and the courses getting back on to full summer greens and tees! I won't mention the 80 Degrees F temperature here recently....
I will be sure to be in touch again soon. I have a former Walker Cup player staying at my apartment in Orlando next week. He is caddieing for two-time US Open champion Lee Janzen at Bay Hill. Steven Chalmers from Banchory Golf Club is coming over for a few weeks of golf.
We have tickets for the Monday practice round at the Masters sorted out. So I should have some good stories for you all in my next E-mail.
Regards from the Florida sunshine,

Paul Cormack

IRISHMAN TURNER HANGS ON THERE IN THE CAMBODIAN HEAT

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR
Siem Reap, Cambodia: South Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung overcame searing heat to pull one shot clear of Irishman Niall Turner in the third round of the inaugural HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic today.
The 31-year-old Kim, the joint overnight leader, battled to a four-under-par 68 at a sun-baked Angkor Golf Resort to lead on 15-under-par 201 in the US$300,000 Asian Tour tournament which is the fifth leg of the 2012 season.
Turner, pictured, stayed hot on his playing partner’s heels with five birdies against a lone bogey for a 68 as the top duo continued their chase for a maiden victory on the Asian Tour.
Filipino Elmer Salvador reeled in four straight birdies after the turn for a 68 and a share of third place, four off the lead, alongside talented Thai Thanyakon Khrongpha, who also carded a 68. India’s newcomer Ajeetesh Sandhu stayed on the fringe of contention with a bogey-free 69 leaving him on 206 with first round leader Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea (69).
Kim, playing in his first tournament of the year after spending several weeks at the Butch Harmon Academy in the United States, was delighted to be in the driver’s seat.
“I feel good about tomorrow and I’ll need to keep my focus which is tough. It’s so hot out there,” said Kim, who is a three-time winner on the Korean circuit.
The good-looking Korean hit 16 greens in regulation but lamented the fact that he missed numerous birdie chances which led to 30 putts during his round. “Everything is working but I was missing many putts from around nine or 10 feet. The greens are bit grainy which makes it hard for me,” said Kim.
“I’m just going to enjoy my game tomorrow and try to keep the ball in play. Two years ago, I was leading into the last day in Japan but I didn’t win. My shoulder wasn’t good at that time but I’m now fully fit.”
Turner, 28, kept pace with the leader as they matched each other birdie for birdie.
“I was trying to catch him (Kim) all day. He played great. If he plays the same tomorrow it’ll be hard to catch him. We kind of pushed each other. He would make a birdie and I would make a birdie. It was an enjoyable round,” said Turner, who is playing in his second season in Asia.
“I played really well again and hit a lot of close iron shots … four of the five birdies were tap ins. Look forward to tomorrow being in the hunt. It’s easy to enjoy the game when you’re hitting it good and putting well. It’s pretty exciting. Hope it continues tomorrow.”
The slender Thanyakon knows he needs a herculean effort to overcome a four-shot deficit. He will be counting on his putts to drop in the final round, just as he did with a 50-foot monster on the 15th hole.
“I was lucky on 15,” he said. “I have to do better tomorrow to have a chance. My game is feeling good. I’ve dropped only one bogey in three days, in today’s round, so it’s been good,” said the 21-year-old Thai.
“I won’t be nervous. I’ll be just thinking of putting on a good score.”
Salvador came to prominence at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic last year when he came from five shots back on the last day to force his way into a five-man play-off which was eventually won by India’s Himmat Rai. The Filipino will be hoping for a similar comeback tomorrow but with a happier ending.
“I had a good putting day and started holing those putts from the 10th green (for four straight birdies). However, my iron play and driving were not good. I was scrambling around and luckily my putting saved me,” he said.
THIRD-ROUND TOTALS
Angkor Golf Resort
Par 216 (3x72). Yardage 7,279
201 - KIM Hyung-sung (KOR) 68-65-68.
202 - Niall TURNER (IRL) 67-67-68.
205 - Elmer SALVADOR (PHI) 68-69-68, Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 71-66-68.
206 - Ajeetesh SANDHU (IND) 69-68-69, BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 66-71-69.
207 - Dodge KEMMER (USA) 70-69-68.
208 - David LIPSKY (USA) 73-68-67, Sam CYR (USA) 70-70-68, Pablo HERRERIA (ESP) 71-68-69.
209 - Sukree OTHMAN (MAS) 72-69-68, Michael TRAN (VNM) 73-68-68, Hirotaro NAITO (JPN) 72-70-67, HONG Soon-sang (KOR) 69-72-68, HU Mu (CHN) 72-71-66, Guy WOODMAN (ENG) 70-69-70, Shaaban HUSSIN (MAS) 69-69-71, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 68-70-71, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 69-64-76.

HARRINGTON CAUTIOUS ABOUT FUTURE DESPITE SHOOTING A 61

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
By Staff and wire reports
PALM HARBOR, Florida -- Padraig Harrington knew he was playing better golf than his scores indicated. He just wasn't expecting the lowest official score of his life, a 10-under 61 to set the course record Thursday in the Transitions Championship.
Harrington took a step toward ending 17 months and 37 tournaments without a victory when he made 10 birdies, including a 75-footer late in his round, to build a three-shot lead at Innisbrook.
"I play better on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday than I do on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday," Harrington said. "I'm trying to stay patient. I know my game is good. One of the hardest things is to wait with confidence. I'm feeling like things are ready to happen. Obviously, today it showed the potential. Today is a peak. But we'll wait and see what happens over the next number of weeks."
With a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th -- how could it not go in the way his day was going? -- he broke by one shot the record at the esteemed Copperhead Course at Innisbrook that had been held by Mark Calcavecchia in 2007 and Jeff Sluman in 2004.
Harrington's previous best was a 62 three times, most recently at the 2009 Portugal Masters. He also had a 61 at the Nedbank Challenge in 2001, an unofficial event. It was not recognised as a course record because of preferred lies.
Not only was Harrington three shots better than anyone else, it was nearly 8.7 shots better than the course average.
Will Claxton birdied the 18th for a 64, a score that would have put him atop the leaderboard at Innisbrook the last seven years. John Senden, coming off a 65 in the final round at Doral, was in a large group at 66 that included William McGirt and 51-year-old Kenny Perry, making a rare appearance on the US PGA Tour.
World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship winner Justin Rose and Luke Donald were at 67, while defending champion Gary Woodland opened with a 68.
Did anyone see a 61 at Innisbrook?
"I did. I watched it," said Geoff Ogilvy, who played alongside Harrington. "On the first tee, I didn't see 61. But after you see it done ... the only really, completely unreasonable birdie was on the 17th. There was never any stress."
That birdie putt on the 17th was from 75 feet, and Harrington said it looked good for the last 15 feet.
But if there was one putt that reminded him how everything was falling his way, it was the 6-foot birdie on the 16th, atop a crown in such a way that Harrington wasn't sure which way it was going to break. He guessed right.
"You're really guessing at which way it's going to go, but on your day, it goes the right way," he said. "I guarantee you there will be a lot of players having a frustrating day, telling you they hit it exactly where they wanted and it missed."
With a wedge into 15 feet on the last hole, he had no doubt.
"When it's your day, I could have turned my back on the hole and I would have holed the putt on the last," Harrington said. "That's just the way it is when things are going for you."
Not much has been going well for the three-time major champion since he last won the Johor Open in October 2010. Though he tinkers endlessly with his swing, Harrington had trouble scoring.
He has been working with Pete Cowen, and in January began seeing Dave Alred, whom he refers to as a practice coach. Alred also works with Luke Donald as the Englishman rose to No. 1 in the world, though he is best known in rugby circles as a kicking coach for the likes of Jonny Wilkinson.
Harrington said it's all about practicing with a purpose, which he has done. He can't work much harder. The toughest part of this has been waiting for it all to come together, which is exactly what happened on a gorgeous day near the Gulf coast of Florida, with only a mild breeze and minimal rough.
The longest putt for par he had all day was about 4 feet on the third hole. Harrington hit so many quality shots that he allowed the thought of a 59 to creep into his head. He was 6 under through 10 holes and had an easy, uphill birdie putt from 6 feet on the par-5 11th.
"I got over it and started thinking, 'If I hole this, I'm 7-under par, seven holes to go, I only need to make five more birdies,'" he said. "I just got totally out of where I should have been, hit a bad putt and missed. But if anything, it kind of got the 59 out of my head. So as much as I did choke, it made it easier for the rest of the holes."
Harrington said he never shot lower than 60 as an amateur, back when he went at every flag, before he accrued what he called "fear and damage in my system." He did have a 61 at the Nedbank Challenge a decade ago, though it didn't count as a course record because it was preferred lies that day.
In the opening round of the Transitions Championship, Padraig Harrington holes a 75-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole.
Stewart Cink and David Toms were among those at 67, while Sergio Garcia had a 68.
Innisbrook wasn't easy for everyone. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel opened with a 76, while Matt Kuchar had a 73.
Harrington, who rose to No. 3 in the world three years ago, has fallen to No. 90. He remains eligible for the majors, though the reality of how far he has dropped was evident over the past month. He missed the Match Play Championship for the first time since 1999, and he was not eligible for the World Golf Championship at TPC Blue Monster.
"It's not a wake-up call because it's not like I could be working any harder, or trying any harder," he said. "You feel like you're good enough. But if your performances are not good enough, you have no else to blame. It is a little frustrating. But I'm working, like everybody else -- working to keep a good attitude and be patient and let it happen and look at the positives."
That's never been a problem. Even during this slump, Harrington rarely lets a pro-am round go by when he doesn't invite his amateur partners to lunch. He endorses the Special Olympics, and took time Wednesday to meet with one of the athletes, whom he described as being "just happy with life, and it's infectious."
Asked about the low point during this slump, Harrington shook his head.
"I'm a professional golfer," he said. "There isn't a low point in being a professional golfer. I mean, let's be realistic!"
+Martin Laird is lying T109 after a round of 73. Russell Knox, the other Scot on the US PGA Tour, is not in the field.

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